Spray irrigation emits water in an overlapping pattern, while drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants. How do you decide which meets the needs of your landscaping? The case for spray irrigation Spray irrigation can be an efficient way to irrigate large landscapes with groundcover or uniform plant materials like lawns or […]
On April 25, the San Diego County Farm Bureau is bringing a one-of-a-kind tasting and education event to the famous Carlsbad Flower Fields. Up to 300 people from around the county will experience a remarkable variety of recipes and beverages, all prepared from locally sourced ingredients by some of the best chefs in the region. […]
Turn on each valve of your irrigation system, and observe how quickly water begins to run off your landscaping. Note the time when each runoff occurs. For some systems, this could be immediately. For others it may take as long as five minutes. Make sure that the spray irrigation is never running for longer than […]
The Helix Water District honored student photographers for their award-winning photos in the agency’s annual high school photo competition. Winners were recognized during a special board meeting on March 20, 2019. Seventy-four students from four schools entered the competition with photos depicting the theme ‘Water in Everyday Life,’ illustrating the importance and beauty of water. […]
Use these helpful tips to get the most from every drop of irrigation applied to your landscaping through the smart use of irrigation systems and supplemental hand watering. Keep water on your landscaping Watch your irrigation while the system is running. Check to make sure sprinkler heads aren’t spraying water onto sidewalks, patios or structures. […]
The 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest invites homeowners across San Diego County to share their landscaping makeovers to inspire and encourage more people to consider their own makeovers by showcasing the beauty and variety of water-efficient landscapes. The winning landscape from each of the participating water agencies will receive a prize valued at $250 and be […]
Irrigation systems have a lot of interconnected mechanical elements. They must be thoughtfully designed, installed and programmed. Once in place, irrigation systems must be maintained properly for optimal performance. “Irrigation efficiency” is a way of describing how well your irrigation system is delivering water for the beneficial use of the plants in your landscaping. Issues […]
It’s smart to use existing depressions, slopes and contours for guidance when planning your landscape grading. If your yard is perfectly flat, you’ll need to move soil and features around to create more rain-holding contour areas. Do a Percolation Test, and prep your soil as needed to make it as much of a water-retaining sponge […]
Local water agencies are planning to offer rebates or professional help to customers who find and repair water leaks as part of national Fix a Leak Week activities March 18-24. Fix a Leak Week is a reminder every March to check indoor and outdoor plumbing systems for leaks. The Water Authority offers tips on how […]
Butterfly releases, thousands of landscape and garden plants for sale, and museum tours are among the activities at the Spring Garden & Butterfly Festival at Cuyamaca College on April 27. Several thousand visitors from throughout the region and beyond are expected to visit the college, which houses The Water Conservation Garden and the Heritage of […]
If rain gutters are installed on your house, water will be directed into downspouts, where it can move with great force and speed. This is especially true in a large storm. Instead of allowing downspouts to discharge directly on hard surfaces like a driveway, path, or patio, think about ways to redirect downspout water into […]
Ten years ago, the state and region were facing a water crisis — snowpack levels were below normal and water restrictions were in place. Thinking outside the box, the Water Authority sweetened its conservation outreach efforts by partnering with the San Diego-Imperial Council of the Girl Scouts to distribute water conservation tip sheets across the […]
The most important water to capture in your landscape is the first inch of rainfall after a dry spell. This is called the “first flush.” Rainfall in dry climates like the San Diego region is often a “first flush” repeatedly due to long stretches between rainy periods. The first rainfall washes away pollutants that have […]
San Diego’s Sustainable Landscapes Program ranked among the most effective landscape transformation programs in the nation in a study released today by the Chicago-based Alliance for Water Efficiency. The “Landscape Transformation Study: 2018 Analytics Report” compiled data from 14 similar landscape conservation programs in the U.S. and Canada. The Alliance for Water Efficiency concluded that San […]
To capture rainwater and any excess irrigation inthe soil or rain barrels, it is first necessary to understand what happens when water comes off the roof of buildings and moves across the property. Where is water moving? Make a copy of your landscaping site plan, and label it “Water Plan.” It should have the position […]
Spray Versus Drip Irrigation: Which is Best for You?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongSpray irrigation emits water in an overlapping pattern, while drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants. How do you decide which meets the needs of your landscaping? The case for spray irrigation Spray irrigation can be an efficient way to irrigate large landscapes with groundcover or uniform plant materials like lawns or […]
Farm-to-Table Event Highlights San Diego County Products
/in Education, Features /by Kristiene GongOn April 25, the San Diego County Farm Bureau is bringing a one-of-a-kind tasting and education event to the famous Carlsbad Flower Fields. Up to 300 people from around the county will experience a remarkable variety of recipes and beverages, all prepared from locally sourced ingredients by some of the best chefs in the region. […]
Put Your Irrigation to the Test
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongTurn on each valve of your irrigation system, and observe how quickly water begins to run off your landscaping. Note the time when each runoff occurs. For some systems, this could be immediately. For others it may take as long as five minutes. Make sure that the spray irrigation is never running for longer than […]
Photographers Capture ‘Water in Everyday Life’
/in Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Helix Water District honored student photographers for their award-winning photos in the agency’s annual high school photo competition. Winners were recognized during a special board meeting on March 20, 2019. Seventy-four students from four schools entered the competition with photos depicting the theme ‘Water in Everyday Life,’ illustrating the importance and beauty of water. […]
Top Irrigation Tips for Smart Landscape Management
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongUse these helpful tips to get the most from every drop of irrigation applied to your landscaping through the smart use of irrigation systems and supplemental hand watering. Keep water on your landscaping Watch your irrigation while the system is running. Check to make sure sprinkler heads aren’t spraying water onto sidewalks, patios or structures. […]
WaterSmart Landscape Contest Seeks Inspiring Entries
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest invites homeowners across San Diego County to share their landscaping makeovers to inspire and encourage more people to consider their own makeovers by showcasing the beauty and variety of water-efficient landscapes. The winning landscape from each of the participating water agencies will receive a prize valued at $250 and be […]
Irrigation Efficiency Impacts Plant Health and Water Use
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongIrrigation systems have a lot of interconnected mechanical elements. They must be thoughtfully designed, installed and programmed. Once in place, irrigation systems must be maintained properly for optimal performance. “Irrigation efficiency” is a way of describing how well your irrigation system is delivering water for the beneficial use of the plants in your landscaping. Issues […]
Contouring Tips Help You Make The Grade
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIt’s smart to use existing depressions, slopes and contours for guidance when planning your landscape grading. If your yard is perfectly flat, you’ll need to move soil and features around to create more rain-holding contour areas. Do a Percolation Test, and prep your soil as needed to make it as much of a water-retaining sponge […]
Save Water During Fix a Leak Week
/in Education, Features /by Mike LeeLocal water agencies are planning to offer rebates or professional help to customers who find and repair water leaks as part of national Fix a Leak Week activities March 18-24. Fix a Leak Week is a reminder every March to check indoor and outdoor plumbing systems for leaks. The Water Authority offers tips on how […]
Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival Returns to Cuyamaca College, Water Conservation Garden
/in Education, Features /by Mike LeeButterfly releases, thousands of landscape and garden plants for sale, and museum tours are among the activities at the Spring Garden & Butterfly Festival at Cuyamaca College on April 27. Several thousand visitors from throughout the region and beyond are expected to visit the college, which houses The Water Conservation Garden and the Heritage of […]
Catch the Rain By Slowing and Storing It
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIf rain gutters are installed on your house, water will be directed into downspouts, where it can move with great force and speed. This is especially true in a large storm. Instead of allowing downspouts to discharge directly on hard surfaces like a driveway, path, or patio, think about ways to redirect downspout water into […]
2009: Taking A Bite Out Of Water Use
/in From the Archives /by Andrea MoraTen years ago, the state and region were facing a water crisis — snowpack levels were below normal and water restrictions were in place. Thinking outside the box, the Water Authority sweetened its conservation outreach efforts by partnering with the San Diego-Imperial Council of the Girl Scouts to distribute water conservation tip sheets across the […]
Capturing the First Flush of Rainwater
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe most important water to capture in your landscape is the first inch of rainfall after a dry spell. This is called the “first flush.” Rainfall in dry climates like the San Diego region is often a “first flush” repeatedly due to long stretches between rainy periods. The first rainfall washes away pollutants that have […]
National Report Highlights Success of San Diego Sustainable Landscapes Program
/in Achievements, Features /by Kristiene GongSan Diego’s Sustainable Landscapes Program ranked among the most effective landscape transformation programs in the nation in a study released today by the Chicago-based Alliance for Water Efficiency. The “Landscape Transformation Study: 2018 Analytics Report” compiled data from 14 similar landscape conservation programs in the U.S. and Canada. The Alliance for Water Efficiency concluded that San […]
Where Does Water Flow in Your Landscaping?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalTo capture rainwater and any excess irrigation inthe soil or rain barrels, it is first necessary to understand what happens when water comes off the roof of buildings and moves across the property. Where is water moving? Make a copy of your landscaping site plan, and label it “Water Plan.” It should have the position […]